JOURNAL

This blog is about the maker's life. The teacher's path. The stitching and dyeing and printing of the craft of art cloth and art quilt. The stumbling around and the soaring, the way the words and the pictures come together. Poetry on the page and in the piecing of bright scraps together. The inner work and the outer journeys to and from. Practicalities and flights of fancy and fearful grandeur, trivial pursuits and tactile amusements. Expect new postings two or three times a week, unless you hear otherwise.

There have been a couple of cancellations for the weekend due to illness, etc and would like to find two more adventurous souls to join us for this El Cielo Workshop, either starting Friday evening for potluck, or joining in Saturday morning at 9:00 am to Sunday 3:30 pm. I have all the supplies you might need, so no concerns about that. Just let me knos if you are interested or know someone who might want the details for this unrepeatable experience with moonlight, magic and improvisation on fabric. One of the participants is even bringing a telescope, and in addition to the techniques listed below I've added a few others: deconstructed screen printing, corn starch printing, flour resist. All in a small group atmosphere in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

FOOL MOON/FULL MOON

July 18-20Friday night (optional)- SundayThe moon has long been seen as a symbol of the unconscious, and a sacred goddess of feminine instinct. How does the unconscious, the instinctual, even lunacy, influence your art work? Do you make room for accidents, for the spontaneous and unplanned? This El Cielo Studio workshop will take advantage of the July full moon to inspire a weekend of intentional accidents, spontaneous expression, and improvisational techniques for fiber and mixed media art, as we open our hearts and eyes to the power of the uncontrolled. Among the activities: guided meditation and journaling, moonlight storytelling around a bonfire and moonlight hike (weather permitting), time in the hot tub, and making an artist altar that explores your understanding of the divine feminine. Fabric art techniques covered include silk painting effects with salt and other additives; faux shibori and low-water dye techniques using the microwave; shaving foam dyeing and other improvisational play.

Susie Monday leads workshops and artists’ retreats throughout the year at her studio near Pipe Creek, Texas, about an hour from downtown San Antonio. Designed to nurture the creativity of beginning artists as well as professionals, each participant comes away from a weekend with renewed energy, new materials and techniques in surface design applicable to fiber, ceramics, jewelry, painting and mixed media work. El Cielo Studio workshops are designed with the needs of the participants in mind; free time is scheduled throughout the weekend for reading, reflection and personal work in the studio. You are welcome to bring projects in process for Susie’s critique and for peer feedback in an environment of trust and respect. You’ll share meals, poetry and stories, music and advice for living an artist’s life. Enjoy the 25-mile vistas from the deck and strolls down the country roads. A spa and pool, and large screen media room are also available to participants. The fee for each workshop retreat is $160 for each 2.5-day event.. Comfortable accommodations are available from $15 - $30, one or two nights, inclusive. Some workshops offer a Friday night potluck option. Limited enrollment - 7-8 participants. Directions and supply lists will be sent when you register. Email Susie , susiemonday at-symbol gmail.com